Perry attempted to go after Romney by dragging up an old 2007
report that Romney had employed illegal immigrants to care for
his lawn.

Perry got hammered after September's Orlando debate for saying
that "if you say that we should not educate children who have
come into our state for no other reason than they've been brought
there by no fault of their own, I don't think you have a heart."

Presumably he hoped to would Romney in a similar fashion...and
this worked! There was a tussle! Romney got so riled up he
put his hand on Perry's shoulder and got so riled up he came
close to yelling.

The world is thanking you Rick Perry. One of the biggest
challenges Romney has always faced as a candidate (and much of
the reason Herman Cain has been so popular) is
that he's deadly boring. (See Calvin Trillin's brilliant
poetic sum-up here.)

Last night we were introduced to non-boring Mitt Romney a what a relief! The man has
a temper! He has emotions! Presumably he has a
heart.

These will all be key things in the coming election year.
Americans don't elect extremists (be they left or right) but they
do require a certain charisma quotient from their
candidates. Or at least proof of a heartbeat.

New York magazine's Jonathan Chait thinks we came close to seeing
the actual Romney in that exchange.

To be sure, watching Mitt Romney and Rick Perry talk over each
other about Las Vegas debate rules is not exactly
awe-inspiring. In fact, if Romney were any other candidate
it would probably be entirely worrisome.

However! Where Romney is concerned it was merely some
much-needed proof he is actually alive. So thanks Rick Perry for
giving the GOP some hope they are not doomed to nominate a robot.